Back to My Roots

I knew I was from Ireland as my great-great-great grandfather was an Irish sea captain according to our family genealogy. He came from Ireland and settled on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. Since I have the opportunity to be in Ireland coaching a team for USA Athletes, I have begun to understand some of the things my grandparents and my mother would refer to in our family discussions or get togethers. I have seen the name Carroll several different places while traveling about through Ireland--Dublin, Cork, Limerick and all the other little places here and there. The tour is called the Irish Roots Tour. Now I think that is pretty clever as many of us could probably trace our roots back to Ireland. The team I am coaching has some of the nicest young women on it. There are seven players: 1 -grad student from the University of Mobile-she also played at Ole Miss; 1-from Columbia College in South Carolina; 2-from Clark University; 1- from Rowan University; and 1-from Montclair University; and 1-from Hollins University. This is one of the best trips I have been on in terms of the locale, the culture, the hospitality, the players and their personalities, the food, the people we meet and come into contact with, and the experience. Even our basketball has been fun and exciting. They play a very aggressive and physical game over here. Our team had to adjust some, but the officiating was fairly consistent. At any rate, I'll write more during another chance with free wi-fi.

Graduation-Keep Moving

On May 26, four of our players graduated . That's the biggest class since 1996.  As I have told them all, four years zoomed by.  Now they are on their own without the comfort and security of the college life.  All have plans, Jill is going to VCU to get her Masters in Social Work; Taylor twill be taking over the office managing her Dad's business; Molly is headed back to Floyd, but will be an Assistant Coach for Roanoke Catholic; and Maggie is waiting to hear from UNC-G after her recent change in plans to pursue athletics.  It's hard to believe they are moving on, but that's life, right?  Things keep moving whether we want them to or not.  We wish the best for them and Godspeed.  It was nice to see their teammates and former teammates on campus to celebrate with them on Saturday.  And so now, I guess, summer begins.  I am off again this year coaching a team with USA Athletes to Ireland.  I will update you upon my return as I am sure the experience will be splendid.

What's Up With the Weather

Can anyone figure the weather?  We surely have had some bizarre weather days.  One day it is 82 and I need to run the AC.  The next day, I am stoking up a fire to take the chill off in the house.  Last week the pool guys came to open the pool while I was building a fire in the wood stove.  That was a funny sight.  This week the weather appears to be a little more consistent.  Many of the students are out sunning, playing and soaking the rays while also fitting some studying in.  Everyone seems to cheer up more when the weather is nice.  We love nice weather for cheery moods!  Here it is the first of May and we have not had too many consistent  warm-up days.  Maybe it has finally broke and we are on our way to the heat of the summer.  That would be okay with me.  We have just one week of classes left--wow.   

Back from Denver

Having the privilege to attend our coaches convention is a professional development opportunity I look forward to every year. I get so excited learning more or different ways to do things that I have been doing for 30-years--so much so, I am ready for next season to start right now and we haven't even taken too much of a break yet. The sessions, the on-court programming, and learning labs were full of very useful and pertinent information for me. One of the best sessions was the keynote speaker, Joe Ehrmann. He was a super dynamic speaker and his 1.5 hour talk whizzed by. He challenged us coaches to "Win While Leaving a Legacy". His points were very real and I look forward to reading his book, InSide Out Coaching. Another really good session was Cathy Crosslin's, "Change Your Mind, Elevate Your Game". Now it will be my challenge to take the points from each of them and grow more as a coach. I am ready.

Spring Break

A lot has happened since my last post. It is probably a good thing that I don't look at the date of the last one because then I will know I truly have been negligent in keeping up with the news about and within the program. So what has been going on since you last read? Well we ended our very quick season on a down note losing in the quarterfinal game of the ODAC tourney. Certainly not what any of us intended, but not a surprise to some who knew our inconsistencies throughout the year. The last game of the season, unless you win the National Tournament, will always end with a loss. That last game is a tough ending to all the hard work, time and energy each of us has put into the season and for four seniors--four years of their college life. These four seniors won 2-ODAC Championships (many players never win a Conference Championship), and had 2-NCAA post-season appearances. They accomplished many things during their career and they kept Randolph-Macon in the forefront of the Conference. I am going to miss their unique personalities and their contributions. I will always remember what they gave to the program.

So Much For Granted

Last weekend was extremely special for our team as we had our annual pink games and assisted with Special Olympics. This year our team raised money for ReeseStrong, which is the foundation in honor of Reese, our little pediatric brain cancer survivor that we adopted three years ago through the Friends of Jaclyn program. ReeseStrong helps other families in their fight against childhood cancer. Reese was with us all day. The team was welcomed by her at center court to start the game and we had the opportunity for hugs following the game. She and her family are such great supporters of the Yellow Jackets and we were honored to raise a little money for ReeseStrong.

Then on Sunday, our team participated in the basketball skills session of the Virginia Special Olympics Basketball Tournament. We cheered on and led the Olympians in dribbling, passing, and shooting--skills we take for granted. Our team was fabulous in their efforts, their encouragement, and their overall involvement in the entire event. We finished off the special day with the dance in Alumni Gym with as many Olympians as wanted to dance.

23rd Annual Back to the Hive

This past Saturday we celebrated the 23rd Annual Back to the Hive event. It was the largest group of former team members--35-- that has come back. The day started with our odd years versus even years alumnae game. The game was pretty equal throughout the contest until the even years took control with a couple minutes left to prevail again for the 3rd straight year. Our game vs Emory & Henry followed with us taking a decisive victory. Each alumnus was recognized at half-time and given a momento. And then onto the social following the game--usually the favorite of all. It was a great opportunity to catch up with each other and some parents of former members were in attendance as well. Thanks to all for coming and sharing in the day. Thanks to each of you who contributed to the dvd with pictures, kind comments, and lots of precious memories. It was a powerful day for me. We also had several prospective students visit and experience the day. They sure did get a feel for RMC Women's Basketball. Take a look at the ones who came Back.

The Number Has Arrived!

Well, finally that elusive 500 number has been found! I have an awful lot of people to thank for reaching this number. To all of the outstanding student-athletes who have propelled me into the spotlight, I give you thanks. To all my Assistant Coaches who know they have to keep me on task to have accomplished what we have, I surely value your bright minds, devotion and loyalty, and ability to put up with me every day. To my family for their unending love--what could I have ever done without your love and support? To my church family who buoyed me when times were tough. To all my friends, other family, and fans--thanks for helping me keep things in perspective and always being there for me. To our financial supporters---there is no way this program would be where it is today without your belief in us and what we are doing at Randolph-Macon College. Thanks to the media for giving us a shout now and again and putting us out there for the public to see.

To my current team, I am glad the number has been found. It was tougher on you than you thought. Please relax, think silly string, and just have fun.

Sun and Experience

I can't believe it has taken me so long to post something from our trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. While we were all excited about going to some place sunny and perhaps exotic, it was not at all what I had expected. It was not a quiet beach island at all, at least where we were in Isla Verde. The traffic was most intense and it seemed to not be logical in how one gets from one place to the next. At any rate, it was fun to be with the team and I was proud of their willingness to try Puerto Rican food. Our two games against Alvernia and Franklin and Marshall were also great experiences. We sure do get spoiled in the states with some of the luxury gyms we get to play in. The courts/gyms in San Juan were open. Since it was so warm, the morning breeze felt nice during our heated contests. Having the chance to see the El Junque Rain Forest and Old San Juan were highlights of our trip as well. The team had the opportunity to swim in the very cold waterfall in the rain forest. Swimming in the ocean wasn't as fun as the hotel pool, but everyone enjoyed the warmth. All in all, I am happy we had a chance to experience another culture and lifestyle.

Whole Week Off!

Our last game was Tuesday, December 6. Everyone had a chance to play several minutes and we got back on track with some of our work. We don't play again until we go to Puerto Rico for our team trip during the semester break. We have two great opponents to play in the Puerto Rico Classic, Alvernia College and Franklin and Marshall College. Both teams are from Pennsylvania. This week we have just been maintaining. Classes have last minute work that needs to be done as well as you know most kids--they wait until the last minute to finish everything. Today was the last day of classes. Next week will be exams. It will be difficult to get much done next week as our players stress over their exams, probably stay up too late studying, and just worry about getting everything studied for each class. We'll try to get them some study breaks so we can keep a little fresh and be ready to play on Dec. 18. The only good thing is that most schools will be in exams as well--so the playing field may be a little more level. The team is very excited about going to Puerto Rico. It will be a wonderful place--about 83 degrees this time of the year--that sure sounds good to us all. We have some adventures planned and are looking forward to having a break from school.

Home Games

We are already 4-games into the season and not off to the best start. What's going on? Everyone asks. The solution or solutions appear to be easy for the outsider looking in. Sometimes, something so simple as our game becomes complicated when we let it. As coaches, that is the fun part and the challenge each day to make the solution even more simple for all of us. We are on our way. When you have people who care, it is a whole lot better to work on anything that needs improvement. Fortunately, I am surrounded by people who care, people who do not want to be mediocre, people who remind themselves there are standards of excellence to be followed, and people that are not afraid to work to get a desired result. How blessed I am to be in the midst of them as they develop.

Ready or Not...

We have one more practice before we open our 2011-12 season. This team has worked hard to be conditioned and ready to compete. Our scrimmages were good tests for us, but now comes the real test for this team who has been pre-seasoned picked to be #1 in the Conference. It is a long, tough competitive season and for our 4-seniors, they will set the stage for the rest of us. They know how to lead and they know what it takes each day to be successful on and off the court. I am excited for them and for their teammates. This week will give us a taste of what is to come in our own Conference. Teams that can play. Teams that know how to win. Teams that can compete. It will be challenging. It will be rewarding. It will be all that we want it to be. It will be truly why we do this day in and day out. So let the games begin.

GOTTA HAVE ONE!

We have a great new item for sale. Check it out. You will want to be the first in line to get the limited edition t-shirt noting our 7-ODAC Championships. The shirt is a vintage, soft feel cotton/polyester/rayon in grey heather. The design is distressed and the shirt feels like you have had it since we won our first ODAC Championship in 1996. We have several sizes on hand and can even order to please, if you're not a t-shirt person. You can email us, call us, come by and see us and you can purchase as many as you want. clahaye@rmc.edu or ckcalhoun@rmc.edu or 804-752-7365, 804-752-4714. Don't get left out.

Practice

Well we have completed almost 2-weeks of practice and we are already tired of playing against each other. Fortunately we have our first scrimmage on Sunday. We coaches are excited about all of the returning players who have worked hard to improve their games. We are just as excited about the three new players that have stepped in and moved us along. We have not had to take any strides backwards--they are super quick learners. We and their teammates surely do welcome them. They are a quiet bunch though. Our scrimmage will be a good test for where we are and how far we need to go. We are not there yet, but we are quite pleased with the work ethic, energy, and motivation of this team. It won't be long until we are totally engrossed in our game schedule. We hope you get a chance to come see us play.